Intraocular lens with reinforcing layer

ABSTRACT

A flexible intraocular lens including a reinforcing layer disposed on a sidewall of the intraocular lens is described. An example flexible intraocular lens includes a lens body and a reinforcing layer disposed thereon.

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.62/623,807, filed Jan. 30, 2018, which is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to intraocular lenses and, inparticular, but not exclusively, relates to reinforcing layers forelectrowetting lenses.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Presbyopia treatment may include implantation of a replacement lens.Such lenses, which may also be referred to as intraocular lenses, mayprovide static or dynamic accommodation, or a combination thereof.Various techniques may be available to provide dynamic accommodation,such as mechanically or electrically controlled accommodation. Theaccommodation may be provided by actuation of a dynamic opticalcomponent that provides multiple levels of optical power. The change inoptical power may provide different focal distances to the user via theintraocular lens.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of theclaimed subject matter will become more readily appreciated as the samebecome better understood by reference to the following detaileddescription, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,wherein:

FIG. 1A is an illustration of an intraocular lens including areinforcing layer on an inner surface of an annular body, in accordancewith an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional illustration of the intraocular lens ofFIG. 1A including a reinforcing layer on an inner surface of the annularbody, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 1C is a cross-sectional illustration of the intraocular lens ofFIG. 1A, in which the intraocular lens is rolled, in accordance with anembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional illustration of an intraocular lensincluding a reinforcing layer on an inner surface, in accordance with anembodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional illustration of a portion of an intraocularlens including a reinforcing layer disposed on an inner surface of anannular body, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional illustration of a portion of anotherintraocular lens including a reinforcing layer including fibers disposedon an inner surface of an annular body, in accordance with an embodimentof the disclosure;

FIG. 3C is a cross-sectional illustration of a portion of anotherintraocular lens including a reinforcing layer including fibers disposedon an inner surface of an annular body, in accordance with an embodimentof the disclosure;

FIG. 3D is a cross-sectional illustration of a portion of an intraocularlens including a reinforcing layer embedded in a portion of an annularbody proximate to a surface of the annular body, in accordance with anembodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 3E is a cross-sectional illustration of a portion of anotherintraocular lens including a reinforcing layer including particlesdisposed on an inner surface of an annular body, in accordance with anembodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional illustration of a portion of an intraocularlens under tensile and compressive stress, in accordance with anembodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of an exemplary method for making anintraocular lens including a reinforcing layer, in accordance with anembodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram of an ophthalmic device including areinforcing layer, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentdisclosure; and

FIG. 7 is a perspective, cross-sectional illustration of an annular bodyof an intraocular lens having a number of reinforcing layers disposedthereon, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of an intraocular lens including a reinforcing layer and amethod for making a reinforcing layer for an intraocular lens aredescribed herein. For example, the intraocular lens may have an internalcavity defined in part by an aperture of a lens body of the intraocularlens, where a surface of the lens body has the reinforcing layerdisposed thereon. In the following description numerous specific detailsare set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments.One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that thetechniques described herein can be practiced without one or more of thespecific details, or with other methods, components, materials, etc. Inother instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are notshown or described in detail to avoid obscuring certain aspects.

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “anembodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, orcharacteristic described in connection with the embodiment is includedin at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, theappearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” invarious places throughout this specification are not necessarily allreferring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features,structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner inone or more embodiments.

An intraocular lens (IOL) may be implanted in a user's eye to assist inaccommodation when the user's lens is no longer able to change focus asdesired, for example. The IOL may have static optical power or may havethe ability to dynamically accommodate, e.g., alter the optical power ofthe IOL, so the user may change focus similar to the natural eye.Dynamic accommodation may be provided using an IOL that is capable ofchanging the shape of an internal lens, which may provide the desiredaccommodation. While mechanically actuated accommodation may be anoption, electrically actuated accommodation may provide better range andresponse.

Electrically actuated lenses may use electrodes and interconnects withinthe IOL to provide the voltages, current, and power needed to drive theactuation. One actuation technique of interest is electrowetting.Electrowetting operates by changing surface energy of a dielectriccoating on an electrode from hydrophobic to hydrophilic when bias isapplied, and vice versa, for example. The change in surface energy maycause an interface between two immiscible liquids of differentrefractive indices to change shape, thereby providing a lensing effect.A voltage applied to the electrode may attract or repel one of the twoimmiscible liquids, which causes the shape of the interface to change.

Because the IOL will be implanted into an eye, a small incision in theeye may be desirable. Yet, because the IOL may be a size similar to theoriginal lens, for example, a large incision may be required. However,if the IOL is capable of being rolled into a cylindrical shape orfolded, a smaller incision may be possible. In general, most of thematerials of the IOL may be amenable to being rolled, but conventionalconductors may experience reliability issues due to the stresses ofrolling/flexing events. For example, conventional conductors maydelaminate from a substrate and/or crack or buckle from the stressesinduced from rolling and/or folding. Accordingly, it may further bedesirable for the lens body to include a reinforcing layer carrying aflexible conductor.

FIG. 1A is an illustration of an IOL 100 including a reinforcing layer104 on an inner surface 106 of a lens body 102, in accordance with anembodiment of the disclosure. The illustrated embodiment of the IOL 100includes a lens body 102, a reinforcing layer 104, a contact pad 122, aninterconnect 124, and control electronics 126. As shown, the lens body102 is an annular body 102 being annulus shaped to define an aperture120. FIG. 1B is a cross sectional illustration of the intraocular lens100 of FIG. 1A including the reinforcing layer 104 on the inner surface106 of the annular body 102, in accordance with an embodiment of thedisclosure. In general, the IOL 100 may include other components, suchas a flexible conductor, a dielectric layer, optical windows, and adynamic optic, which are not shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C (see, forexample, FIGS. 3A-3E). The IOL 100 may be formed from one or moreflexible materials, such as flexible, biocompatible, and otherwisenon-toxic materials, amenable to implantation into the eye of a user. Insome embodiments, the IOL 100 may be able to provide dynamicaccommodation to a user based on electrowetting principles. For example,the IOL 100 may include two immiscible fluids, an oil and an electrolytesolution (not shown, see, for example, FIG. 2), for example, that mayprovide dynamic accommodation by inducing a change in the shape of aninterface between the two immiscible fluids in response to an appliedvoltage, which may provide a lensing behavior. In an embodiment, the twoimmiscible fluids include an oil and an electrolyte solution. However,the two immiscible fluids can include any pair of fluids that tend toform a mutual interface.

In an embodiment, the IOL 100 includes a flexible conductor and adielectric layer on inner surface of annular body 102 for applying avoltage to induce lensing behavior. The change in the interface shapemay be due to one of the two immiscible fluids, for example a polarfluid, being attracted by an electrostatic field between the flexibleconductor and said fluid.

FIG. 1C is an illustration of the intraocular lens 100 of FIG. 1Aincluding a reinforcing layer 104 on an inner surface 106 of the annularbody 102, in which the IOL 100 is rolled, in accordance with anembodiment of the disclosure. As above, during implantation the IOL 100may be rolled, folded, or otherwise deformed, thereby inducing tensileand compressive stresses on portions of the IOL 100, particularly anyflexible conductor disposed on the inner surface 106 of the annular body102. Reinforcing layer 104 carried by the inner surface 106 of annularbody 102 has a higher elastic modulus than the flexible material of theannular body 102. In this regard, reinforcing layer 104 reduces tensilestress on any flexible conductor carried by reinforcing layer 104,thereby mitigating or preventing any cracking or buckling of theflexible conductor from the inner surface 106 of the annular body 102.In an embodiment, the reinforcement layer is thin and elastic enough tobe bent over a radius of between about 0.5 mm and about 2.0 mm, such asduring implantation, without exceeding its yield strain.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional illustration of a portion of an IOL 400under tensile and compressive stress, in accordance with an embodimentof the disclosure. In an embodiment, IOL 400 is an example of IOL 100.In the illustrated embodiment, at least a portion of IOL 400 is bent sothat annular body 402, reinforcing layer 404, flexible conductor 416,and dielectric layer 418 assume an arc-like cross-sectionalconfiguration. In an embodiment, such components of IOL 400 assume anarc-like cross-sectional configuration when IOL 400 is rolled, such asduring implantation in an eye. As shown, reinforcing layer 404 iscarried by an inner surface 406 of the annular body 402. Further,flexible conductor 416 is carried by at least a portion of reinforcinglayer 404. When bent into an arc-like cross-sectional configuration,portions of certain components are in compression whereas others are intension. For example, first portion 420 of the annular body 402 distalfrom the inner surface 406 of annular body 402 is under compression. Incontrast, second portion 422 of the annular body 402 proximate to theinner surface 406 of annular body 402 is under tension. In anembodiment, the reinforcing layer 416 has a higher elastic modulus thanthe flexible material of the annular body 402, but is generally notstiffer than the annular body 402. In this regard, the reinforcing layer404 is configured to reversibly bend over a small radius, such as duringrolling or folding, and still prevent over-stretching orover-compression of the flexible conductor 416. Accordingly, byincluding reinforcing layer 404 in IOL 400, cracking or buckling offlexible conductor 416 is mitigated or prevented when portions of IOL400 are under tension.

Referring back to FIGS. 1A and 1B, annular body 102 may providemechanical support for the various other features of the IOL 100. Forexample, the annular body 102 may act as a substrate for such featuresdiscussed herein. In some embodiments, the annular body 102 may be asubstrate for mounting various electronics, such as the controlelectronics 126. The control electronics 126 may be coupled to at leastprovide a voltage to a flexible conductor. While the control electronics126 are depicted as being mounted to a surface of the annular body 102,in some embodiments, the control electronics 126 are tethered to theannular body 102 and coupled to the contact pad 122. In such anembodiment, the control electronics 126 are mounted to a separatesupport structure, such as a substrate formed from a material, andimplanted in a different area of an eye than the IOL 100.

In general, the annular body 102 may be formed from a material that isamenable to being rolled and/or folded and otherwise amenable toimplantation into an eye. In an embodiment, the flexible material is aflexible, biocompatible material chosen from silicones, sol-gels, andAcrySof®. Such flexible, biocompatible materials may be non-toxic in aneye and, in this regard, are amenable to implantation therein. Otherflexible biocompatible materials, such as biocompatible hydrogel,silicone, hydrophobic acrylic, fluorinated polymethacrylate, and thelike, may also be used. The annular body 102 may be a main structuralcomponent of the IOL 100 that provides a platform for other IOL 100components. The annular body 102 may be flexibly capable of being rolledup and/or folded so that it may be manipulated into a smaller shape toaccommodate insertion into an eye through a small incision, e.g., anincision roughly 2 mm in length.

In the embodiment of the IOL 100, the annular body 102 isannulus-shaped, e.g., washer-shaped, having an aperture 120 formed therethrough. As discussed further herein, while annulus-shaped annularbodies 102 are discussed, it is understood that lens bodies of thepresent disclosure include lens bodies having other shapes. The aperture120 may provide an optical path for the IOL 100. In some embodiments,optical windows may be placed over the aperture 120 on both an anteriorand a posterior surface of the annular body 102 (not shown, see FIG. 2for an example). While not shown in the IOL 100, the annular body 102may include a recess along an inner edge of the annular body 102 toprovide a location for mounting and centering one or more opticalwindows (See also FIG. 2). The recess may provide an area to strengthenthe mounting of the optical windows and provide a seal between the two.

The aperture 120 may be defined by an inner surface 106, e.g., asidewall, of the annular body 102. In the illustrated embodiment of theIOL 100, the inner surface 106 includes the reinforcing layer 104disposed thereon. The inner surface 106 may be at a non-orthogonalangle, e.g., oblique angle, to anterior and/or posterior surfaces of theannular body 102. For example, the sidewall may be at a 45° angle to atleast one of the anterior or posterior surfaces of the annular body 102.In general, performance aspects of the IOL 100 may determine an obliqueangle of the sidewall with respect to a top or bottom surface of theannular body 102, and angles other than 45° are within the scope of thepresent disclosure. In some embodiments, the shape of the inner surface106 may form a conical frustum.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional illustration of an IOL 200 including areinforcing layer 204 on an inner surface 206 of a lens body 202, shownhere as an annular body 202, in accordance with an embodiment of thedisclosure. The IOL 200 may generally be similar to the IOL 100. Theillustrated example of the IOL 200 is shown to include an annular body202 having at least one inner surface 206, a reinforcing layer 204carried by the at least one inner surface 206, a conductor 216, such asa flexible conductor 216, carried by at least a portion of thereinforcing layer 204, a dielectric layer 218 disposed over the flexibleconductor 216, a first optical window 208, a second optical window 210,and two or more immiscible liquids 212 and 214 disposed in a cavity 240defined by inner surface 206 and optical windows 208 and 210. In anembodiment, the two or more immiscible fluids include a polar fluid 212and a non-polar fluid 214. The IOL 200 may provide dynamic accommodationto a user induced by electrowetting principles.

The annular body 202 may be annulus-shaped and have an aperture 220formed through it. The inner surface 206 of the annular body 202 may atleast partially define the aperture 220, along with other internalfacets of the annular body 202. The annular body 202 may providestructural support for the reinforcing layer 204, the flexible conductor216, the dielectric layer 218, one or more contact pads (not shown, seeFIG. 1) coupled to the flexible conductor 216, and the optical windows208 and 210. Additionally, the annular body 202 may provide a substratefor electronics and/or power sources for providing charge to at leastthe flexible conductor 216 to induce the electrowetting-based dynamicaccommodation of the IOL 200.

The annular body 202 may further have a recess formed on an inner edgeof both the anterior surface 228 and the posterior surface 230 thatencircle the aperture 220. The recesses 236 and 238 may provide surfacesfor mounting and sealing the optical windows 208 and 210 to the annularbody 202. The recess 236 may be defined by surfaces 232 and 234 formedinto the posterior surface 230, which may be mirrored on the anteriorsurface 228. In some embodiments, the recess 238 formed into theanterior surface 228 and the recess 236 formed into the posteriorsurface 230 may be different and provide different surface areas of theannular body 202. Additionally, the inner surface 206, which extendsfrom recessed anterior surface 228 and posterior surface 230 of theannular body 202, may be truncated at an innermost point that definesthe smallest diameter of the aperture 220.

The annular body 202 may comprise one or more flexible materials. In anembodiment, the flexible material is a flexible biocompatible materialchosen from silicone, sol-gels, polymers, and the like. In anembodiment, the annular body 202 comprises AcrySof® produced by Alcon ofFort Worth, Tex. In an embodiment, the flexible material is amenable toimplantation in an eye allowing the IOL 200 to be implanted into the eyeof a user, such as by rolling and/or folding.

The flexible conductor 216 may include one or more flexible,electrically conductive components. In an embodiment, the one or moreelectrically-conductive components include a self-healing electrodematerial. In certain embodiments, flexible conductor 216, includingself-healing materials, forms a thin, impermeable oxide layer thatprevents electric current from flowing. Such oxide layers limit orprevent electric current flow through gaps or cracks in the dielectriclayer. In an embodiment, the flexible conductor 216 includes a metalchosen from gold, titanium, niobium, vanadium, hafnium, tungsten, andcombinations thereof. Such a flexible conductor 216 is suitable tostretch, such as during rolling, folding, and the like, duringimplantation of the IOL 200 without tearing or otherwise breaking.

In an embodiment, the conductor 216 includes a ductile conductivematerial, such as a ductile metal. In an embodiment, the ductile metalis chosen from aluminum, tantalum, and combinations thereof. Suchductile metals may go over their plastic limits when, for example, theIOL 200 is rolled, folded, and the like during implantation. However, asthe IOL 200 unfolds to assume an unfolded configuration, the reinforcinglayer 204 pulls the ductile conductive material back into shape, againover its plastic limit.

In the illustrated embodiment, the first optical window 208 and secondoptical window 210 are mounted to the anterior side 228 and posteriorside 230 of the annular body 202, respectively. While anterior andposterior are used herein to discuss the opposite sides of the annularbody 202, for example, the anterior and posterior designations do notnecessarily denote any directionality to the IOL 200 and are used merelyas a reference with respect FIG. 2. In an embodiment, the posterior side230 of the annular body 202 is configured to face the retina of an eyewhen implanted in an eye, whereas the anterior side 228 of the annularbody 202 is configured to face the cornea of an eye when implanted in aneye.

The optical windows 208 and 210 may be transmissive to visible and otherlight and disposed to cover the aperture 220. The optical windows 208and 210 may be with or without optical power. In certain embodiments,one or both of the optical windows 208 and 210 provide static opticalpower to the IOL 200, which may be affected by the electrowetting-baseddynamic accommodation of the IOL 200. In certain embodiments, theoptical windows 208 and 210 do not have any optical power. In eitherembodiment, the optical windows 208 and 210 may be coupled to theannular body 202 to retain the two immiscible liquids 212 and 214 withincavity 240. In an embodiment, the cavity 240 is defined, in part or inwhole, by the aperture 220 and the optical windows 208 and 210.

In an embodiment, the one or more of the optical windows 208 and 210 maybe integrally coupled with the annular body 202. Furthermore, in anembodiment, one of the optical windows 208 and 210 may be formed insingle step along with the annular body 202, such as by co-molding theannular body 202 and one of the optical windows 208 and 210, asdiscussed further herein with respect to method 500. In an embodiment,the reinforcing layer 204 and the dielectric layer 218 are disposed onone or more of optical windows 208 and 210 co-molded with annular body202.

In an embodiment, one or more of the optical windows 208 and 210 areelectrically conductive. For example, optical window 208, which theinner surface 206 faces, may be electrically conductive. In anembodiment, a transparent conductor, such as indium tin oxide (ITO), isdisposed on at least a portion of the optical window 208. In thisregard, the IOL 200 is configured to generate a potential differencebetween the flexible conductor 216 and a polar fluid, such as fluid 212,across the dielectric layer 218, which may be used to generateelectrowetting-induced accommodation.

In an embodiment, the IOL 200 includes at least one dielectric layer 218disposed over the flexible conductor 216. In an embodiment, thedielectric layer 218 is in direct contact with the flexible conductor216. In an embodiment, the dielectric layer 218 covers the entireflexible conductor 216. In this regard, the dielectric layer 218 isconfigured to prevent electrical shorts between, for example, theflexible conductor 216 and the polar fluid 212. In an embodiment,prevention of electrical shorts allows charge to build up on, forexample, the dielectric layer 218 and an optical power of the IOL 200 tochange.

As shown in FIG. 2, the inner surface 206 of the annular body 202 is ata non-normal angle relative to anterior surface 228 and posteriorsurface 230 of the annular body 202. In some embodiments, the innersurface 206 is shaped like a conical frustum. In some embodiments, theinner surface 206 is at a 45° angle relative to anterior surface 228 andthe posterior surface 230 of the annular body 202.

In operation, charge may be provided to the flexible conductor 216 bygenerating a potential difference between the flexible conductor 216 andthe polar fluid 212. The potential difference may cause charge to buildup on the flexible conductor 216, which may cause attraction of thepolar fluid 212 towards the flexible conductor 216, or encapsulatingdielectric layers 218. This attractive force may cause the polar fluid212 in the cavity 240 to change shape in response. The change in theirinterface may cause a lensing effect, which may change an optical powerof the IOL 200.

In an embodiment, a reinforcing layer of the IOLs described herein is afirst reinforcing layer and the IOL includes at least a secondreinforcing layer. In that regard, attention is directed to FIG. 7,which is a perspective, cross-sectional illustration of an annular body702 of an IOL 700 having a number of reinforcing layers 704 and 730disposed thereon, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.The IOL 700 may be an example of IOLs 100, 200, and 400. In theillustrated embodiment, IOL 700 includes an annular body 702 having atleast one inner surface 706, a first reinforcing layer 704 carried bythe at least one inner surface 706, anterior side 726 of the annularbody 702, and second reinforcing layer 730 having two portions 722 and724 configured to carry a contact pad and an interconnect, respectively(not shown, see FIG. 1). As above, in certain embodiments the IOL 700disclosed herein includes electronic components other than accommodationactuators, such as contact pads, interconnects, and control electronics.When such electronic components are disposed on flexible components ofthe IOL 700, such as annular ring 702, it may be advantageous to includea second reinforcing layer 730 on the flexible component to carry theelectronic components in order to prevent or mitigate cracking ordelamination of such electrical components.

FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional illustration of a portion of an IOL 300including a reinforcing layer 304 disposed on an inner surface 306 of anannular body 302, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.The IOL 300 may be an example of IOLs 100, 200, 400, and 700. In theillustrated embodiment of FIG. 3A, the IOL 300 is shown to include anannular body 302, a reinforcing layer 304, a flexible conductor 316, anda dielectric layer 318.

The annular body 302 may be substantially similar to the annular bodies202 and 102, in that it provides mechanical support for the reinforcinglayer 304 and one or more optical windows (not shown, see FIG. 2). In anembodiment, the annular body 302 comprises a flexible material and maybe used as a portion of an implantable intraocular lens 300, forexample. In an embodiment, annular body 302 includes at least one innersurface 306.

In an embodiment, IOL 300 comprises a reinforcing layer 304 carried bythe inner surface 306, wherein the reinforcing layer 304 has a higherelastic modulus than the flexible material of the annular body 302. Inan embodiment, the flexible conductor 316 is carried by at least aportion of the reinforcing layer 304. When, for example, IOL 300 isrolled, folded, or otherwise deformed, portions of the flexible materialstretch. The reinforcement layer 304 resists or decreases suchstretching within the reinforcement layer 304 and, and for example, inthe flexible conductor 316, thereby reducing tensile stresses applied tothe flexible conductor 316. In this regard, the reinforcing layer 304 isconfigured to mitigate or otherwise prevent cracking or buckling of theflexible conductor 316.

In an embodiment, the flexible conductor 316 covers less than all of thereinforcing layer 304. In that regard, attention is directed to endportions 322 a and 322 b of reinforcing layer 304 in which thereinforcing layer 304 extends beyond the flexible conductor 316. Asillustrated, the flexible conductor does not cover all of thereinforcing layer 304. As above, when IOL 300 is rolled, folded, orotherwise deformed, tensile stresses can be transferred from portions ofthe IOL 300, such as the annular body 302, to other portions, such asthe flexible conductor 316. In the absence of such end portions 322 aand 322 b, which extend beyond the flexible conductor 316, portions ofthe flexible conductor 316 may be exposed to tensile stresses from, forexample, the flexible material of the annular body 302.

In an embodiment, reinforcing layer 304 comprises a polymeric materialhaving a higher elastic modulus than the flexible material. In anembodiment, the polymeric material is chosen from a polyimide, apolyetherimide, a polymethylmethacrylate, a polyacrylate, a thiol-ene,an epoxy, polyethylene terephthalate, and combinations thereof.

In an embodiment, the reinforcing layer 304 comprises a polymericmaterial having a higher elastic modulus than the flexible material andhaving a thickness between about 5 μm and about 75 μm. In an embodiment,the reinforcing layer 304 comprises a polymeric material having a higherelastic modulus than the flexible material and having a thicknessbetween about 7.5 μm and about 50 μm. In an embodiment, the reinforcinglayer 304 comprises a polymeric material having a higher elastic modulusthan the flexible material and having a thickness between about 10 μmand about 25 μm.

In an embodiment, the polymeric material having a higher elastic modulusthan the flexible compatible material is in direct, conformal contactwith the at least one inner surface 306 of the annular body 302.

Still referring to FIG. 3A, dielectric layer 318 is shown disposed overflexible conductor 316. In the illustrated embodiment, dielectric layer318 is directly disposed over flexible conductor 316 and is in direct,conformal contact with flexible conductor 316. In an embodiment,dielectric layer 318 covers all of flexible conductor 316, therebypreventing electrical shorts between, for example, flexible conductor316 and a polar fluid (not shown, see, for example, FIG. 2).

In an embodiment, reinforcing layers of the IOLs described hereincomprise fibers. In that regard, attention is directed to FIG. 3B, whichis a cross-sectional illustration of a portion of an IOL 300 including areinforcing layer 304 including fibers 320 disposed on an inner surface306 of an annular body 302, in accordance with an embodiment of thedisclosure. In an embodiment, the reinforcing layer 304 including fibers320 has a higher elastic modulus than a flexible material of the annularbody 302. In an embodiment, the fibers 320 are flexible, but notgenerally stretchable. This can be achieved by keeping the reinforcinglayer 304 very thin. In an embodiment, reinforcing layer 304 has athickness of between about 0.5 mm and about 2.0 mm. In this regard, thefibrous reinforcing layer 304 is amenable to being rolled, bent, andotherwise deformed, while not stretching as much as, for example, theflexible material of annular body 302 during such deformation.

In an embodiment, the reinforcing layer 304 comprises fibers 320embedded in a polymeric matrix 324. The polymeric matrix 324 aids inadhering the fibers 320 together and to the inner surface 306 of theannular body 302. In an embodiment, the polymeric matrix 324 is acrosslinked polymeric matrix 324, such as an epoxy. In an embodiment,the polymeric matrix 324 is cured by exposure to ultraviolet lightand/or heating. In an embodiment, the polymeric matrix 324 is chosenfrom a urethane, a silicone, and a methacrylate. In an embodiment, thepolymeric matrix 324 comprises hydroxyethylmethacrylate. In anembodiment, the polymeric matrix 324 comprisesdiethyleneglycoldimethacrylate. In an embodiment, the polymeric matrix324 comprises polyimide or polyetherimide.

Furthermore, by embedding the fibers 320 in a polymeric matrix 324, thefibers 320 may extend through, for example, the flexible conductor 316and the dielectric layer 318 to a lesser extent. In this regard, thepolymeric matrix 324 reduces or eliminates electrical shorts between,for example, the flexible conductor 316 and the polar fluid andincreases smoothness of the dielectric layer 318.

In an embodiment, fibers 320 extend into the biocompatible material ofthe annular body 302 (not shown, see, for example, FIG. 3C), therebyimproving adhesion between the reinforcing layer 304 and the annularbody 302.

In an embodiment, the reinforcing layer 304 comprises fibers 320 and apolymeric matrix 324 both having a higher elastic modulus than theflexible compatible material.

In an embodiment, the fibers 320 comprise one or more metal oxides. Inan embodiment, the fibers 320 comprise aluminum oxide. In an embodiment,the fibers 320 comprise silicon dioxide.

In an embodiment, the fibers 320 are electrically conducting. In anembodiment, the fibers 320 include carbon nanotubes. It may be desirableto cover or coat such conductive fibers 320 with a dielectric layer 318to prevent electrical conduction between the conductive fibers 320 and,for example, one of the immiscible fluids, such as a polar fluid.

In an embodiment, the fibers 320 are nanofibers 320 having an averagesmallest dimension of between about 1 nm and about 1,000 nm. In anembodiment, the nanofibers 320 have an average smallest dimensionbetween about 1 nm and about 400 nm. In an embodiment, the nanofibers320 have an average smallest dimension between about 2 nm and about 10nm. In this regard, the fibers 320 do not scatter visible light and,thus, the reinforcing layer 304 is, in an embodiment, opticallytransmissive. Accordingly, in an embodiment, the nanofibers 320 aredisposed on or embedded in an inner surface 306 of the annular body 302and/or on or embedded in an optical window (not shown, see, for example,FIG. 2) or other portion of IOL 300 configured to be in an optical pathwhen implanted.

In an embodiment, fibers 320 have a refractive index similar to theflexible material. In that regard, fibers 320 are generally not visible.In an embodiment, fibers 320 comprise silica and the flexible materialof the annular body 302 comprises a silicone.

Furthermore, nanofibers 320 disposed on the inner surface 306 of theannular body 302 or embedded in a portion of the annular body 302proximate to the inner surface 306 of the annular body 302 can provide asmoother surface for the flexible conductor 316 and the dielectric layer318. As discussed herein, in certain embodiments the dielectric layer318 is configured to modulate the optical power of IOL 300 through anelectrowetting effect. A smooth dielectric layer 318, such as onecarried by a reinforcing layer 304 and comprising nanowires, can beconfigured to evenly modulate the optical power of IOL 300.

In an embodiment, the flexible conductor of an IOL of the presentdisclosure is disposed on fibers. In this regard, attention is directedto FIG. 3C, which is a cross-sectional illustration of a portion of anIOL 300 including a reinforcing layer 304 including fibers 320 disposedon an inner surface 306 of an annular body 302, in accordance with anembodiment of the disclosure. In the illustrated embodiment, fibers 320are disposed on the inner surface 306 of the annular body 302. In anembodiment and as illustrated, the flexible conductor 316 is disposeddirectly on fibers 320. In an embodiment, the fibers 320 are notembedded in a polymeric matrix. In an embodiment, the flexible conductor316 conformably coats fibers 320, thus improving electrical conductivityof the flexible conductor 316 and improving the bond between the fibers320 and the flexible conductor 316.

Still referring to FIG. 3C, in an embodiment, the dielectric layer 318entirely covers the flexible conductor 316, which is in direct contactwith the fibers 320. By entirely covering the flexible conductor 316with the dielectric layer 318, electrical shorts are prevented. Such aconfiguration can be useful where conductive fibers, such as carbonnanotubes, silver nanowires, and the like, are used in the reinforcinglayer 304.

In an embodiment, the reinforcing layer of an IOL of the presentdisclosure is embedded in a portion of flexible material of an annularbody of the IOL proximate to an inner surface of the IOL. In thatregard, attention is directed to FIG. 3D, which is a cross-sectionalillustration of a portion of an IOL 300 including a reinforcing layer304 embedded in a portion of an annular body 302 proximate to a surface306 of the annular body 302, in accordance with an embodiment of thedisclosure. In the illustrated embodiment, the reinforcing layer 304includes fibers 320 embedded in a portion of the annular body 302proximate to an inner surface 306 of the annular body 302. In anembodiment, the portion of the annular body 302 proximate to the innersurface 306 comprises a flexible material. In an embodiment, the portionof the flexible conductor 316 is directly disposed onto the innersurface 306 of the annular body 302 and between dielectric layer 318. Asdescribed further herein with respect to method 500, in an embodimentsuch a configuration can be made by applying reinforcing layer 304materials, such as fibers 320, on a portion of a mold configured to forman inner surface 306 of the annular body 302. The flexible material isthen cast over the reinforcing layer materials.

In an embodiment, a reinforcing layer of an IOL of the presentdisclosure comprises particles. In that regard attention is directed toFIG. 3E, which is a cross-sectional illustration of a portion of anotherIOL 300 including a reinforcing layer 304 including particles 326disposed on an inner surface 306 of an annular body 302, in accordancewith an embodiment of the disclosure. As illustrated IOL 300 includes areinforcing layer 304 carried by an inner surface 306 of the annularbody 302, a flexible conductor 316 carried by at least a portion of thereinforcing layer, and a dielectric layer 318 disposed over the flexibleconductor 316. Further, in the present embodiment, reinforcing layer 304includes particles 326 embedded in a polymeric matrix 324.

As discussed elsewhere herein, during insertion IOL 300 may be rolled,bent, or otherwise deformed during implantation, thereby inducing stresson certain portions of the IOL 300. While certain portions of the IOL300 experience tensile stress other portions are under compressivestress, as discussed further herein with respect to FIG. 4. Fibers andcertain polymer layers, such as those discussed herein with respect tocertain reinforcing layers 304, are generally resistant to stretching.However, some fibers and polymer layers are less resistant tocompressive stress. In certain embodiments, reinforcing layer 304including particles, such as particles 326, is configured to withstandcompressive stress and thereby mitigate or prevent cracking ordelamination of a flexible conductor 316.

In an embodiment, the particles 326 include glass beads. In anembodiment, the particles 326 comprise nanoparticles 326 having anaverage smallest dimension less than one micron. In an embodiment, theparticles 326 comprise microparticles 326 having an average smallestdimension of 100 nanometers or less.

In an embodiment, the particles 326 have irregular shapes configured tointerlock with one another when compressed, thereby providing greatercompressive strength.

In an embodiment, the reinforcing layer 304 includes particles 326 andfibers, such as those discussed further herein with respect to FIGS. 3Band 3D, embedded in a polymeric matrix 324.

FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram of an ophthalmic device 600including a reinforcing layer, in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent disclosure. Ophthalmic device 600 may be an implantable device,such as an IOL. In an embodiment, ophthalmic device 600 is an example ofIOLs 100, 200, 300, 400, and 700. In the depicted embodiment, ophthalmicdevice 600 includes a substrate 644 configured to be implanted into aneye. The substrate 644 is configured to provide a mounting surface for apower supply 646, a controller 648, an antenna 664, and variousinterconnects. The substrate 644 and the associated electronics may beone implementation of the control electronics 126 and an associatedannular ring, such as the annular body 102. The illustrated embodimentof power supply 646 includes an energy harvesting antenna 652, chargingcircuitry 654, and a battery 656. The illustrated embodiment ofcontroller 648 includes control logic 658, accommodation logic 660, andcommunication logic 662.

Power supply 646 supplies operating voltages to the controller 648and/or the accommodation actuator 650. Antenna 664 is operated by thecontroller 648 to communicate information to and/or from ophthalmicdevice 600. In the illustrated embodiment, antenna 664, controller 648,and power supply 646 are disposed on/in substrate 644. In oneembodiment, accommodation actuator 650 is disposed on an inner surfaceof the substrate 644, such as the inner surface 206 of annular body 202,and includes a flexible conductor, such as the flexible conductors 216,316, and/or 416.

Substrate 644 includes one or more surfaces suitable for mountingcontroller 648, power supply 646, and antenna 664. Substrate 644 can beemployed both as a mounting platform for chip-based circuitry (e.g., byflip-chip mounting) and/or as a platform for patterning conductivematerials (e.g., gold, platinum, palladium, titanium, copper, aluminum,silver, metals, other conductive materials, combinations of these, etc.)to create electrodes, interconnects, antennae, etc. In some embodiments,substantially transparent conductive materials (e.g., indium tin oxideor silver nanowire mesh) can be patterned on substrate 644 to formcircuitry, electrodes, etc. For example, antenna 664 can be formed bydepositing a pattern of gold or another conductive material on substrate644. Similarly, interconnects can be formed by depositing suitablepatterns of conductive materials on substrate 644. A combination ofresists, masks, and deposition techniques can be employed to patternmaterials on substrate 644. Substrate 644 can be a relatively softmaterial, such as a polymer or another material sufficient tostructurally support the circuitry and/or electronics while beingflexible enough to be rolled or folded. Ophthalmic device 600 canalternatively be arranged with a group of unconnected substrates ratherthan a single substrate 644. For example, controller 648 and powersupply 646 can be mounted to one substrate 644, while antenna 664 ismounted to another substrate and the two can be electrically connectedvia interconnects.

Substrate 644 can be shaped as a flattened ring with a radial widthdimension sufficient to provide a mounting platform for the embeddedelectronic components. Substrate 644 can have a thickness sufficientlylarge to provide structural stability suitable for supporting theelectronics mounted thereon. For example, substrate 644 can be shaped asa ring with a diameter of about 10 millimeters, a radial width of about1 millimeter (e.g., an outer radius 1 millimeter larger than an innerradius), and a thickness of about 50 micrometers. In some embodiments,the substrate 644 may encircle at least the optical area associated withthe accommodation actuator 650, and may be analogous to the annularbodies 102 and/or 202. For example, the substrate 644 may be disposed ina peripheral area and in between at least two optical elements, such asoptical windows 208 and 210.

In the illustrated embodiment, power supply 646 includes a battery 656to power the various embedded electronics, including controller 648.Battery 656 may be inductively charged by charging circuitry 654 andenergy harvesting antenna 652. In one embodiment, antenna 664 and energyharvesting antenna 652 are independent antennae, which serve theirrespective functions of energy harvesting and communications. In anotherembodiment, energy harvesting antenna 652 and antenna 664 are the samephysical antenna that are time shared for their respective functions ofinductive charging and wireless communications with reader 605.Additionally or alternatively, power supply 646 may include a solar cell(“photovoltaic cell”) to capture energy from incoming ultraviolet,visible, and/or infrared radiation. Furthermore, an inertial powerscavenging system can be included to capture energy from ambientvibrations.

Charging circuitry 654 may include a rectifier/regulator to conditionthe captured energy for charging battery 656 and/or directly powercontroller 648. Charging circuitry 654 may also include one or moreenergy storage devices to mitigate high frequency variations in energyharvesting antenna 652. For example, one or more energy storage devices(e.g., a capacitor, an inductor, etc.) can be connected to function as alow-pass filter.

Controller 648 contains logic to choreograph the operation of the otherembedded components. Control logic 658 controls the general operation ofophthalmic device 600, including providing a logical user interface,power control functionality, etc. Accommodation logic 660 includes logicfor receiving signals from sensors monitoring the orientation of theeye, determining the current gaze direction or focal distance of theuser, and manipulating accommodation actuator 650 (focal distance of thecontact lens) in response to these physical cues. The auto-accommodationcan be implemented in real-time based upon feedback from gaze tracking,or permit the user to select specific accommodation regimes (e.g.,near-field accommodation for reading, far-field accommodation forregular activities, etc.). Communication logic 662 providescommunication protocols for wireless communication with reader 605 viaantenna 664. In one embodiment, communication logic 662 providesbackscatter communication via antenna 664 when in the presence of anelectromagnetic field 680 output from reader 605. In one embodiment,communication logic 662 operates as a smart wireless radio-frequencyidentification (“RFID”) tag that modulates the impedance of antenna 664for backscatter wireless communications. The various logic modules ofcontroller 648 may be implemented in software/firmware executed on ageneral purpose microprocessor, in hardware (e.g., application specificintegrated circuit), or a combination of both.

Ophthalmic device 600 may include various other embedded electronics andlogic modules. For example, a light source or pixel array may beincluded to provide visible feedback to the user. An accelerometer orgyroscope may be included to provide positional, rotational, directionalor acceleration feedback information to controller 648.

The illustrated embodiment also includes reader 605 with a processor672, an antenna 674, and memory 666. Memory 666 in reader 605 includesdata storage 668 and program instructions 670. As shown reader 605 maybe disposed outside of ophthalmic device 600, but may be placed in itsproximity to charge ophthalmic device 600, send instructions toophthalmic device 600, and/or extract data from ophthalmic device 600.In one embodiment, reader 605 may resemble a conventional contact lensholder that the user places ophthalmic device 600 in at night to charge,extract data, clean the lens, etc.

External reader 605 includes antenna 674 (or group of more than oneantenna) to send and receive wireless signals 680 to and from ophthalmicdevice 600. External reader 605 also includes a computing system withprocessor 672 in communication with memory 666. Memory 666 is anon-transitory computer-readable medium that can include, withoutlimitation, magnetic disks, optical disks, organic memory, and/or anyother volatile (e.g., RAM) or non-volatile (e.g., ROM) storage systemreadable by the processor 672. Memory 666 can include a data storage 668to store indications of data, such as data logs (e.g., user logs),program settings (e.g., to adjust behavior of ophthalmic device 600and/or external reader 605), etc. Memory 666 can also include programinstructions 670 for execution by processor 672 to cause the externalreader 605 to perform processes specified by the instructions 670. Forexample, program instructions 670 can cause external reader 605 toprovide a user interface that allows for retrieving informationcommunicated from ophthalmic device 600 or allows transmittinginformation to ophthalmic device 600 to program or otherwise selectoperational modes of ophthalmic device 600. External reader 605 can alsoinclude one or more hardware components for operating antenna 674 tosend and receive wireless signals 680 to and from ophthalmic device 600.

External reader 605 can be a smart phone, digital assistant, or otherportable computing device with wireless connectivity sufficient toprovide the wireless communication link 680. External reader 605 canalso be implemented as an antenna module that can be plugged into aportable computing device, such as in an embodiment where thecommunication link 680 operates at carrier frequencies not commonlyemployed in portable computing devices. In some instances, externalreader 605 is a special-purpose device configured to be worn relativelynear a wearer's eye to allow the wireless communication link 680 tooperate with a low power budget. For example, the external reader 605can be integrated in a piece of jewelry such as a necklace, earing, etc.or integrated in an article of clothing worn near the head, such as ahat, headband, etc.

While annular bodies being annulus-shaped are described herein, otherembodiments provide lens bodies having other shapes other than annuli.For example, in certain embodiments according to the present disclosure,the intraocular lens includes bodies formed from a flexible materialhaving a shape suitable for forming an intraocular lens other than ananulus. Such shapes can include, without limitation, a disc, a lens, aregular polygon, an irregular polygon, a free shape, and the like.

While accommodating intraocular lenses including reinforcing layers havebeen described herein, it will be understood that the reinforcing layersdescribed herein may be applied to and included in other designs andconfigurations of intraocular lenses in accordance with embodiments ofthe present disclosure. Further, while accommodating intraocular lensesincluding reinforcing layers have been described herein, it will beunderstood that the reinforcing layers described herein may be appliedto and included in other ophthalmic devices. Such other ophthalmicdevice can include, for example, contact lenses.

In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a method for makingan intraocular lens including a reinforcing layer. In that regard,attention is directed to FIG. 5, which is a schematic illustration of anexemplary method 500 for making an intraocular lens including areinforcing layer, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.The method 500 may be an example process for forming at least a portionof an intraocular lens, such as the IOLs 100, 200, 300, 400, 600, and700. The order in which some or all of the process blocks appear inmethod 500 should not be deemed limiting. Rather, one of ordinary skillin the art having the benefit of the present disclosure will understandthat some of the method blocks may be executed in a variety of ordersnot illustrated, or even in parallel.

The method may begin with process block 502, which includes casting areinforcing layer, such as in a mold configured to form at least aportion of an intraocular lens shaped to cover an inner surface and/oroptical window of the intraocular lens. In an embodiment, casting thereinforcing layer includes spray coating or otherwise depositing aportion of the mold with a solution or suspension including reinforcinglayer reagents. In an embodiment, the solution or suspension includingreinforcing layer reagents includes a polymer having a higher elasticmodulus than a flexible material used, for example, for an annular bodyas discussed further herein. In an embodiment, the polymer is a moltenpolymer and the molten polymer is cast by spray coating. In anembodiment, the solution or suspension including reinforcing layerreagents includes fibers, such as nanofibers. In an embodiment, thesolution or suspension including reinforcing layer reagents includesparticles, such as nanoparticles.

In an embodiment, casting the reinforcing layer includes spin casting ordip casting a solution or suspension of reinforcing layer reagents ontoat least a portion of the mold. In an embodiment, the reinforcing layerreagents include polyetherimide and a solvent includingn-methyl-2-pyrrolidone.

In an embodiment, the solution or suspension including reinforcing layerreagents includes a carrier fluid. After initial application ordeposition of the solution or suspension, the carrier fluid evaporatesleaving a reinforcing layer. In an embodiment, the carrier fluidincludes reagents suitable to create a polymer matrix. After initialapplication or deposition of the solution or suspension, the reagentsform a polymer matrix into which, for example, the reinforcing layerreagents, such as fibers and/or particles, are embedded, as discussedfurther herein with respect to FIGS. 3B and 3E. In an embodiment, thefibers are fibers 320. In an embodiment, the particles are particles326.

In some embodiments, the mold may be masked such that only a portion ofthe mold is exposed during depositing of the reinforcing layer. In someembodiments, the mask may include openings for at least a secondreinforcing layer.

In an embodiment, the reinforcing layer is cast on a portion of the moldconfigured to form a portion of the IOL including an optical path, suchas an optical window. In an embodiment, the reinforcing layer includesfibers, such as nanofibers, as discussed further herein with respect toFIG. 3B.

Process block 502 may be followed by process block 504, which includescasting a second reinforcing layer. As discussed further herein, incertain embodiments the IOLs of the present disclosure include two ormore reinforcement layers configured to carry, for example, contactpads, interconnects, control electronics, and other electroniccomponents. Casting the second reinforcing layer can include, forexample, the methods useful for depositing the first reinforcing layer,a described herein with respect to process block 502. In someembodiments, block 504 is optional.

Process block 502 or process block 504 may be followed by process block506, which includes performing an adhesion promoting process on at leastthe reinforcing layer. The adhesion promoting process may include acleaning or surface treatment, such as treatment with an oxygen plasma,to alter a surface energy of the reinforcing layer, or it may includethe deposition of a thin film of an adhesion promoting substance thatmay be cannibalized by a subsequent process block. In some embodiments,process block 506 is optional.

In an embodiment, the adhesion promoting process includes partiallycuring a reinforcing layer including curable polymer. By partiallycuring the reinforcing layer the reinforcing layer is at leasttemporarily a tacky solid or semi-solid and adheres to subsequentlyadded layers, such as flexible materials suitable for forming an annularbody. In an embodiment, partially curing a reinforcing layer includesexposing a UV-curable liquid to ultraviolet light for a period of timesufficient to provide a tacky solid or semisolid, such as for a timebetween 1-30 seconds. Such a UV-curable solution or suspension includessolutions or suspensions including a UV-curable acrylate, a UV-curablethiol-ene, a UV-curable epoxy, and combinations thereof.

Process block 502, process block 504, or process block 506 may befollowed by process block 508, which includes casting a lens body from aflexible material on at least a portion of the reinforcing layer. In anembodiment, casting the lens body includes casting an annular body beingannulus shaped from a flexible material on at least a portion of thereinforcing layer. As discussed further herein, in an embodiment, thereinforcing layer has a higher elastic modulus than the flexiblematerial. In an embodiment, the annular body is an annular body such asannular bodies 102, 202, 302, 402, and 702.

In an embodiment, casting the annular body provides an annular bodyhaving at least one inner surface, e.g., a sidewall that defines anaperture through the annular body. The at least one inner surface mayhave a conical frustum shape such that the inner surface is at anoblique or non-normal angle to anterior and posterior surfaces of theannular body. In some embodiments, the at least one inner surface may beat 45° to the anterior and posterior surfaces. In an embodiment, theannular body is coupled to a portion of the reinforcing layer at aninner surface of the annular body. In an embodiment, casting the annularbody also includes casting an optical window, such as an optical windowdiscussed further herein with respect to FIG. 2, along with the annularbody.

In an embodiment, process block 508 precedes process block 502. In thatregard, in an embodiment, the method 500 may begin with block 508,including casting a lens body from a flexible material. In anembodiment, process block 508 is followed by process block 502,including casting a reinforcing layer on at least a portion of the lensbody. Casting the reinforcing layer on at least a portion of the lensbody may be accomplished according to any of the deposition methodsdescribed elsewhere herein.

Process block 508 may be followed by process block 510, includingdepositing a conductor to a portion of the reinforcing layer. In anembodiment, the conductor is a flexible conductor. In an embodiment, theconductor is a ductile conductor. In some embodiments, it may bedesirable for the conductor to be self-healing; that is, a flexibleconductor that automatically repairs damage to itself without anyexternal diagnosis of the problem or human intervention. In anembodiment, depositing a self-healing conductor includes depositing alayer of a metal chosen from aluminum, titanium, tantalum, niobium,vanadium, hafnium, tungsten, zirconium, molybdenum, and combinationsthereof.

In an embodiment, depositing the conductor includes sputtering theflexible conductor material on at least a portion of the reinforcinglayer. In an embodiment, depositing the conductor includes evaporatingflexible conductor material on at least a portion of the reinforcinglayer. In an embodiment, depositing the conductor includes chemicalvapor deposition of flexible conductor material on at least a portion ofthe reinforcing layer. In an embodiment, depositing the conductorincludes atomic layer deposition of conductor material on at least aportion of the reinforcing layer.

In an embodiment, depositing a conductor to a portion of the reinforcinglayer includes depositing a conductor directly onto one or more fibersof the reinforcing layer. In this regard, the one or more fibers of thereinforcing layer are coated or partially covered by the conductor, asdescribed further herein with respect to and illustrated in FIG. 3C.

Process block 510 may be followed by process block 512, which includesdepositing a contact pad and an interconnect on at least a portion ofthe second reinforcing layer, wherein the contact pad and interconnectcomprise a flexible, electrically conductive material. Process block512, which may be optional, may be performed to provide an interconnectto the conductor. Process block 512 may be optionally combined withprocess block 510 to provide both a flexible and/or ductile conductor onthe first reinforcing layer and a contact pad and interconnect on thesecond reinforcing layer. Alternatively, process blocks 510 and 512 maybe performed separately.

By depositing the contact pad and interconnect on the second reinforcinglayer having a higher elastic modulus than the flexible material, thecontact pad and interconnect are protected from cracking anddelamination from the lens body in an analogous way to the protectionprovided by the first reinforcing layer to the flexible conductor. In anembodiment, depositing the contact pad and interconnect is performedaccording the methods of depositing the conductor, as describedelsewhere herein. In an embodiment, process block 512 is optional.

Process block 512 may be followed by process block 514, which includesdepositing a dielectric layer at least on the conductor. The dielectricmay be a polymer-based dielectric and may be deposited, for example,using a vapor deposition technique. It may be desirable for thedielectric to conformally coat at least the conductor to preventelectrical shorts between the conductor and other portions of the IOL.Further, it may be desirable that the dielectric layer be transparentand flexible and to provide a chemical barrier to the conductor. In someembodiments, the dielectric layer may be comprise Parylene-C, and have athickness of 0.5 microns to 4 microns. In an embodiment, the dielectriclayer has a thickness of 25 μm. Other example dielectric materials ofthe dielectric layer may include Parylene-N, Parylene-D, Parylene-HT,Parylene-AF4, and combinations thereof. In other embodiments thedielectric layer may comprise a silicone.

While illustrative embodiments have been illustrated and described, itwill be appreciated that various changes can be made therein withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “anembodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, orcharacteristic described in connection with the embodiment is includedin at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, theappearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” invarious places throughout this specification are not necessarily allreferring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features,structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner inone or more embodiments.

The order in which some or all of the process blocks appear in eachprocess should not be deemed limiting. Rather, one of ordinary skill inthe art having the benefit of the present disclosure will understandthat some of the process blocks may be executed in a variety of ordersnot illustrated, or even in parallel.

The above description of illustrated embodiments of the invention,including what is described in the Abstract, is not intended to beexhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed.While specific embodiments of, and examples for, the invention aredescribed herein for illustrative purposes, various modifications arepossible within the scope of the invention, as those skilled in therelevant art will recognize.

These modifications can be made to the invention in light of the abovedetailed description. The terms used in the following claims should notbe construed to limit the invention to the specific embodimentsdisclosed in the specification. Rather, the scope of the invention is tobe determined entirely by the following claims, which are to beconstrued in accordance with established doctrines of claiminterpretation.

1-15. (canceled)
 16. A method, comprising: casting a reinforcing layer;casting a lens body from a flexible material, wherein the lens body iscoupled to a portion of the reinforcing layer at an inner surface of thelens body, and wherein a material that forms the reinforcing layer has ahigher elastic modulus than the flexible material; depositing aconducting layer on at least a portion of the reinforcing layer; anddepositing a dielectric layer on the flexible conducting layer.
 17. Themethod of claim 16, wherein casting the reinforcing layer comprisesembedding fibers in a polymeric matrix.
 18. The method of claim 16,wherein casting the reinforcing layer comprises casting a polymer layerhaving an elastic modulus higher than the flexible material.
 19. Themethod of claim 16, further comprising performing an adhesion promotingprocess on at least the reinforcing layer.
 20. The method of claim 16,further comprising casting at least a second reinforcing layer coupledto the lens body.
 21. The method of claim 20, further comprising:depositing a contact pad on a first portion of the second reinforcinglayer, the contact pad formed from an electrically conductive material;and depositing an electrical interconnect on a second portion of thesecond reinforcing layer between the contact pad and the conductinglayer, the electrical interconnect formed from an electricallyconductive material.
 22. The method of claim 16, wherein the reinforcinglayer is configured to reversibly bend over a small radius and resiststretching or compression of the conductor.
 23. An intraocular lens,comprising: a lens body having at least one inner surface, wherein thelens body is formed from a flexible material amenable to implantationinto an eye; a plurality of particles disposed on the at least one innersurface, wherein a portion of the lens body proximate to the at leastone inner surface has a higher elastic modulus than a portion of theflexible material opposite the at least one inner surface; a conductorcarried by the at least one inner surface, wherein the conductor iselectrically coupled to adjust electrowetting behavior of theintraocular lens; and a dielectric layer disposed over the conductor.24. The intraocular lens of claim 23, wherein the plurality of particlesincludes a plurality of fibers.
 25. The intraocular lens of claim 24,wherein the plurality of fibers is embedded into the portion of the lensbody proximate to the at least one inner surface.
 26. The intraocularlens of claim 24, wherein the conductor is disposed directly on theplurality of fibers.
 27. The intraocular lens of claim 24, wherein theconductor conformably coats the plurality of fibers.
 28. The intraocularlens of claim 24, wherein fibers of the plurality of fibers have anaverage smallest dimension of between about 1 nm and about 400 nm. 29.The intraocular lens of claim 23, wherein the conductor covers less thanall of the plurality of particles.
 30. The intraocular lens of claim 23,wherein the lens body has an anterior side and a posterior side andrecesses formed in the anterior and posterior sides, wherein the atleast one inner surface defines an aperture through the lens body, andwherein the at least one inner surface is at an oblique angle to theanterior and posterior sides of the lens body.
 31. The intraocular lensof claim 30, further comprising a first optical window and a secondoptical window disposed in the recesses formed in the anterior andposterior sides of the lens body, respectively, and covering theaperture.
 32. The intraocular lens of claim 31, further comprising twoimmiscible liquids disposed in the aperture of the lens body, wherein avoltage applied to the conductor alters a wetting characteristic of thedielectric layer to cause an interface between the two immiscibleliquids to change an optical power of the intraocular lens.
 33. Theintraocular lens of claim 23, wherein the conductor comprises aself-healing material.
 34. The intraocular lens of claim 23, wherein thelens body is flexibly capable of being rolled for insertion into an eye,and wherein the conductor does not crack or separate from the at leastone inner surface when the intraocular lens is rolled.
 35. A method offorming an intraocular lens, the method comprising: applying a pluralityof fibers on a portion of a mold configured to form an at least oneinner surface of a lens body of the intraocular lens; casting a flexiblematerial over the plurality of fibers; depositing a conducting layer onthe at least one inner surface; and depositing a dielectric layer on theconducting layer.